The proof is in the people.

Rich Fitzgerald is the CEO of Nelson Miller Group, where he is dedicated to upholding the company's remarkable brand and legacy. With over 22 years of executive experience in operations, supply chain, engineering, and sales across high-tech OEM, manufacturing, EMS, and electronics distribution sectors, Rich has held key roles at companies such as Intel Corporation, SMTEK, California Amplifier, Team Precision, CTS Corporation, AVNET, SMTC, and NeoTech. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Manufacturing Excellence, the world’s largest LEAN consortium, and has been involved with various charitable organizations, including Zentech and the We Will Never Forget Foundation. Rich is committed to philanthropy, supporting veterans and providing scholarships for the youth of 9/11 victims. An honorably served officer in the US Marine Corps, Rich splits his time between Southern California and Scottsdale, AZ. 

Jim Kaldem is the President and Chief Technology Officer of Nelson Miller Group, bringing over 30 years of industry expertise to his role. Since joining the company in 2006, Jim has been based out of the City of Industry, California office. With a background that includes notable positions at Tyco Electronics and Elo Touchscreens, Jim has played a pivotal role in the development and advancement of liquid crystal displays and touchscreens. A graduate of UCLA in Product Development and Engineering Management, Jim has led companies for over 25 years, including a period where he oversaw the production of the world's touchscreen supply. His operational philosophy prioritizes employee safety, cost reduction, quality improvement, and sales growth, all while fostering the development of people within the organization. 

Kenneth J. Potter is the Chief Financial Officer of Nelson Miller Group, having joined the company in July 2018 as the CFO for Chainlogix. In 2018, Ken played a key role in implementing a new ERP system and establishing controls to monitor ERP activity and general ledger balances. Promoted to CFO of Nelson Miller Group in 2024, Ken is a Certified Public Accountant with a B.S. in Accounting from Salisbury University. With over 14 years of experience as a CFO in various industries, Ken has managed finance, human resources, and deposit operations in community banking, and has been integral in equity transactions, including the sale of Albemarle First Bank and a capital raise for Old Dominion National Bank. He also served as CFO of a medical software company, leading to its successful sale in 2012.

Laura Reames is the Senior Vice President and HR Officer at Nelson Miller Group, where she leverages over two decades of human resources leadership to drive organizational success and cultivate high-performing teams. With a strategic mindset and a proven ability to build strong partnerships, Laura is instrumental in achieving operational excellence and realizing organizational goals.

A seasoned leader in mergers and acquisitions, Laura excels at integrating diverse organizations, aligning cultures, and optimizing operational synergies. Her comprehensive leadership experience extends beyond HR, encompassing critical functions such as Trade Compliance, Security, and EHS. Through collaboration with her team and government agencies, she has successfully implemented robust compliance frameworks to mitigate risks.

Prior to joining Nelson Miller Group, Laura held leadership roles at prominent organizations including Medtronic Heart Valves, PharMerica Drug Systems, Coherent Lasers and Optics, and NEOTech Engineering Solutions. She holds a Master's degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Chad Lockhart is the Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for the Nelson Miller. Chad brings a wealth of expertise and a track record of success to his role. With a solid foundation built on over a decade of experience at companies like Teknetix and Verizon, Chad is a strategic force in driving growth. Chad is adept at identifying and resolving customer pain points, collaborating with them to develop tailored solutions that drive their growth. Chad's approach is focused on identifying and cultivating new opportunities to deliver exceptional value to customers. Whether it's through team leadership, customer service communication, business development, technical sales, or operations management, Chad's leads the sales team to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing business landscape with precision and poise.

Jym Muller is the Senior Vice President of Global MIS and IT for the Nelson Miller Group. Since joining the organization in 2009 as the Operations Leader for Chainlogix, prior to its merger to form Nelson Miller Group, Jym has been pivotal in scaling the company from a small enterprise to its current stature. He now oversees all systems and processes, including the ERP system, ensuring operational excellence across the group. Jym holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and has extensive experience in various leadership roles, including Outside Sales, Inside Sales, Inside Sales Manager, and VP of Operations at Trinity Development Group, Future Electronics, and Arrow Electronics. 

Sarah Bridenhagen is the Director of Supply Chain and Logistics for the Nelson Miller Group, a position she has held since 2017. After graduating from the University of Virginia, she spent six years in France, where she developed global supply chain solutions for European luxury brands, gaining valuable exposure to global manufacturing, logistics, and data management. Upon receiving her Global MBA from George Washington University, Sarah returned to her native Charlottesville to join the Nelson Miller Group. She brings extensive experience in global supply chain optimization and a dedicated, collaborative approach to problem-solving and enabling growth.

Dennis Whitaker is the General Manager of the Injection Works plant for the Nelson Miller Group in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. With over 30 years of experience in the plastics industry, Dennis joined NMG in October 2023. His career began at OI/Graham, where he progressed from working on packing lines to roles such as Operator, Process Lead, Raw Material Engineer, Production Manager, and eventually Plant Manager. Before joining NMG, he also served as Plant Manager for Berry Global. Dennis is known for his commitment to safety and quality, adhering to the principle of being "hard on process, but easy on people." He has a successful track record in blending Standard Operating Conditions (SOCs) to control costs and quality outputs, improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), and reducing yields.

To learn about our in-country injection molding facility, visit the Injection Works website.

Pete Dehne is the Vice President of Wisconsin Operations for the Nelson Miller Group, with his primary office located in Wausau, WI. Bringing 35 years of industry experience, including 23 years with the Nelson Miller Group, Pete has held key leadership roles at WH Brady (now Brady Corporation), Xymox HMI Division, and Phillips Plastics (now Phillips-Medisize). Throughout his career, Pete has successfully guided teams through several business sales, acquisitions, and consolidations. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and is currently responsible for overseeing two manufacturing factories in Berlin and Wausau, Wisconsin. Drawing from his background in competitive sports, Pete believes in building teams aligned with shared values and strategic objectives, leveraging their collective skills to achieve both individual and organizational success.

Alan Hu is the President of Global Sourcing and Asia Operations for the Nelson Miller Group, based in Zhuhai, China. Since joining the company in November 2015, Alan has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive material supply strategy that ensures the best costs, on-time deliveries, and highest quality products. He established and expanded the Nelson Miller Group Asia organization, growing the team from one to seven individuals, covering sourcing, purchasing, planning, and supplier quality. With 25 years of experience in quality and global sourcing management, Alan has held senior roles at TE, Flex, Intel, GE, and Amazon. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing.

Darren Aw is the Vice President of Asian Operations for Nelson Miller Group, overseeing activities in Southeast Asia and China. He graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with Honors from University Technical Malaysia Melaka. Darren began his career at National Semiconductor in Melaka, Malaysia, where he excelled as a process engineer, implementing cost-saving measures and increasing production capacity. He later advanced to key roles in project management and R&D at Sinco Technologies Pte Ltd and CoActive Technology Pte Ltd. Since joining Nelson-Miller Inc. in 2011, Darren has demonstrated exceptional leadership, notably building a strong engineering team and developing high-quality supplier partnerships. Promoted to Director of Asia Engineering in 2016, Darren’s team has been instrumental in driving growth through exceptional support across the development, production and on-going operations of our programs. A certified IPC Specialist, Darren leverages his technical expertise and strong problem-solving skills to drive results and embody operational excellence at NMG.